Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

Pondicherry or Pondy, one of the French colonies in India, the city has been an important tourist spot since the early 20th century. The serene seashore and the gorgeous view of Pondy make this place a preferred destination for tourists looking for some peace. Pondicherry Serenity Beach is one of the prime beaches of this quaint French-inspired town. Stunning surf-able waves and beach sports attracts vacationer, both domestic and international.

If you are planning on adding the Serenity beach to your Pondicherry itinerary, then this write-up could help you immensely. Let’s read to know-how.

The Highlight of Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

Address: Serenity Beach Rd, Kottakuppam, Off East Coast Road, Puducherry

Opening time:  Open 24 hours 

Entry Fee: Free

Famous for: View of the sunrise and serene landscape

Visit Duration: Two hours

Best time to visit: November to March 

Popular for: Surfing and weekend flea market

How to reach: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available  

Overview of the Serenity Beach

One of the prime attractions of Pondicherry, the Serenity Beach is well-known for its stunning surfing worthy waves and beautiful serene landscape. A favorite among romantic wanders, the sunrise and sunset views are surly worth a million pictures. Just twenty minutes drive from the main city center, Serenity Beach is easily accessible. The coast is fringed with an array of towering palm trees providing a wonderful frame to this excellent site.

Also referred to as Thanthirayan Kuppam Beach or Kottakuppam Beach, this shoreline’s secluded landscape attracts honeymooners looking for some solitude. Unfortunately, the place is usually crowded with tourists, so finding little privacy could be difficult during peak hours of the day.

However, if you are willing to sacrifice your early morning sleep, then Serenity Beach in Pondicherry could offer you a mesmerizing view of the daybreak. Flood your social media timeline and stories with these stunning photographs of the sun rising on the horizon.

Things You Can Do at Serenity Beach

1. Watching the sunrise and sunset

As mentioned earlier, the Serenity Beach is the spot to watch the sunrise. As the sun rises over the horizon spreading its golden glow over the Bay of Bengal, it creates an extremely beautiful view that cannot be explained by words. If you are into nature photography, then this place would provide you with numerous subjects during the early dawn moments.   
    

2. Surfing at the Bay of Bengal

Indian has a handful of surf-able beaches, and Serenity Beach, Pondicherry is one of them. The place has small shacks and shops, renting out surfing gear and equipment for people interested in surfing and swimming. If you are a novice at surfing, then you can always join the nearby surf school for beginner’s lessons. For surfing veterans, this surf school provides lessons to hone your skills.       

3. Shopping at the weekend flea market or Serenity Beach Bazaar

Any vacation is incomplete without shopping, and so is the trip to Serenity Beach. The market opens on Saturdays and Sundays, and runs from 10 am to 5 pm. The weekend flea market is a great place to explore the local handicrafts, and buying knick-knacks to take back home. You can buy colorful garments, jewelry, bags, ceramics, and accessories for these establishments. Sellers participating in this flea market are all locals, living in the nearby villages. Buying items from these sellers could help in promoting the local economy.      

4. Eating at the beachside shacks

Although, these small and old-fashioned beach shacks sell humble fare, after an energetic surfing session you will be craving these edibles. Most of the shacks sell fried Indian snacks including bhajis and samosas. Also, do try the refreshing tender coconut found here in plenty. They are rich in nutrients required to survive the Indian sun and are quite refreshing.

Things to Do After Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

Serenity Beach is one of the most popular hangout spots among the locals, but that is not all of Pondicherry. Here are some of the places you must visit in this stunning town.  
 

1. Auroville (3km from the beach)

Established in the early 20th century, Auroville was the brainchild of Mirra Alfassa – the disciple of Sri Aurobindo. It is regarded as a universal city dedicated to bringing out the spiritual development primarily through helping the community, along with meditation and yoga. The place is quiet and peaceful, filling visitors with an unexplainable feeling.   

2. Sri Aurobindo Ashram (3.8km from the beach)

The Ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who came to Pondicherry after attaining spiritual upliftment. As the visitors walk through the grey painted doors of this spiritual community, they come across a beautiful flower clad garden. The cemented path takes the visitors to the Samadhi (the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother), where they might find several people meditating.   

3. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple (3.9 Km from the beach)

One of the popular tourist destinations of Pondicherry, the place is dedicated to Hindu God – Ganesha. The temple predates the French acquisition of Pondicherry and has been an important fixture in the life of the Hindu community. Interestingly, the temple has a pet elephant called Lakshmi that blesses – a pat on the head with its trunk – the visitors.            

4. Bharati Government Park (4 km from the beach)

One of the beautiful parks in this city, the Bharati Government Park is a small haven of green. The garden, due to its proximity to the Raj Nivas, is frequently visited by tourists           
True to its name the Serenity Beach in Pondicherry is a serene spot of this colonial town. The place, due to its romantic landscape, is frequently visited by tourists and locals alike.